Occupant-rotated frame for recreation and exercise



July 7, 1970 A. S. M QUEEN QCCUPANT-ROTATED FRAME FOR RECREATION ANDEXERCISE Filed Nov. 20, 1968 INVENT OR ALFRED S, M QUEEN BY A 3,519,268OCCUPANT-ROTATED FRAME FOR RECREATION AND EXERCISE Alfred S. McQueen,213 E. Unaka Ave., Johnson City, Tenn. 37601 Filed Nov. 20, 1968, Ser.No. 777,267 Int. Cl. A63g 1/12 US. Cl. 272-1 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE An exercising and recreational apparatus comprising arotatable frame pivotably mounted on pivot means on a supporting frame.The rotatable frame has an elongated frame member in the shape of aclosed elongated geometric figure, and an annular body supporting framemember attached thereto adjacent to the pivot means. A pair of invertedU-shaped frame members extend from the annular body supporting framemember toward the opposite end of the elongated frame member from a footsupport member. The arrangement is such that a body-supporting framework is formed by these parts. A hand grip member is connected betweenthe elongated frame member and the closed end of each of the U- shapedframe members. This permits a person to stand in the framework and graspthe hand grip members and oscillate or rotate themselves around thepivot means.

The present invention relates to an exercise and recreational apparatusfor a child which apparatus is maneuverable by the user so as to givethe impression that the user is simulating orbital or space flight, orto encourage the user to imagine that he is training to be an astronaut.

It is well known that exercise and recreational apparatuses such asswings, see-saws, gliders and the like have always been popular withchildren. However, these devices all have the common characteristic thatthe body of the child is generally maintained more or less uprightduring the use thereof. It is also well known that children enjoyexercises in which the body is pivoted around a horizontal axis more orless parallel to the ground, such as spinning around the horizontal baron a trapeze. Heretofore, single and easy to operate exercise andrecreational devices which are particularly useful for performing suchan exercise have not been readily available.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide anexercising and recreational apparatus in which the body of the user isable to pivot about a horizontal axis parallel to the ground.

To carry out the object of this invention, there is provided asupporting framework having a pivot means spaced above the ground, and arotatable frame pivotally mounted on said pivot means, said rotatableframe having an elongated frame member in the shape of a closedelongated geometric figure, foot holding means at one end of saidelongated frame member, at least one annular body supporting framemember attached to said elongated frame member adjacent said pivot meansand extending in a plane transversely of the plane of the elongatedframe member, a pair of inverted U- shaped frame members extending fromsaid annular frame member toward the other end of said elongated framemember and having the free ends attached to said annular frame memberand being generally in parallel spaced planes perpendicular to the planeof said elongated frame member, and handgrip members connected betweenthe closed end of each U-shaped frame member and the adjacent portion ofsaid elongated frame mired States Patent member, the space between saidU-shaped frame members being unobstructed.

With such an apparatus, the user can fit himself into the frame with hisfeet engaged in the foot holding means and With his hands gripping thehandgrip members, and by appropriately manipulating his body, cause theframe to rotate around the axis of the pivot means.

The invention will now be explained in greater detail in connection withthe accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exercising and recreationalapparatus according to the present invention, and showing the rotatingframe thereof on a ground supported framework and in a substantiallyupright position;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the rotatable frame in asubstantially horizontal position; and

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an embodiment of theapparatus according to the invention which is mounted on a groundsupported framework 10 having a base generally indicated at 11, andcomprised of transverse base members 11a and longitudinal base members1112. The ground supported framework has angularly upwardly extendingmembers 12, the members on opposite sides of the frame meeting at anapex which has thereon bearing means 13 for supporting a horizontallyextending stub shaft 14.

A rotatable frame is rotatably mounted on the supporting frame 10, andis comprised of an elongated frame member 15 in the shape of a closedelongated geometric figure, here shown as an oval, and having footholding means 16 at the foot end thereof. The stub shafts 14 extendlaterally from about the middle of the elongated frame member 15.

The rotatable frame further comprises at least one annular bodysupporting frame member 17, although preferably a plurality of suchframes 17 is provided. These framse are attached to the elongated framemember 15 adjacent the stud shafts 14 and extend in a plane transverselyof the plane of the elongated frame member 15. A pair of invertedU-shaped frame members 18 extend from the annular frame member 17 whichis closest to the head end of the elongated frame member 15. The freeends of the U-shaped frame members 18 are attached to the annular framemember or members 17, and are generally in parallel spaced planesperpendicular to the plane of the elongated frame member 15. Hand gripmembers 19 are connected between the closed end of each U-shaped framemember 18 and the adjacent portion of the elongated frame member 15. Thespace between the U-shaped frame members 18 is unobstructed.

In use, the rotatable frame is first turned to the generally horizontalposition, as shown in FIG. 2 and the user inserts his upper body portionand head through the annular body supporting frame members 17, until hishead is in the vicinity of the closed ends of the U-shaped framemembers. At this point, it is a simple matter to grasp the hand gripmembers 19, these being somewhere in the vicinity of the head orshoulders of the user. The rotatable frame is then turned to a generallyupright position, and the users feet are inserted into the foot holdingmeans 16 at the foot end of the rotatable frame which is now at thelower end.

In this position, the rotatable frame is free to rotate about the stubshafts 14, and the user, by properly manipulating the rotatable frame,can either cause the frame to rotate around the stub shafts 14 as anaxis in complete rotations, or can simply oscillate the frame back andforth around the stub shafts as an axis.

Because oft he presence of the annular body supporting frame members,and the grip which the users hands can easily maintain on the hand gripmembers and the grip which is provided by the foot holding means, thedevice is perfectly safe, and the user will not fall out of it whetherit is making complete rotations in which case the user will, from timeto time, be upside down, or simply oscillating.

The rotatable frame need not be mounted on a framework which stands onthe ground. It can for example be suspended by chains from the top beamof a swing frame. Alternatively, it could be suspended by rods ratherthan by chains. At the lower end of the chains, bearing means forholding the stub shafts 14 would be provided.

Further modifications can be made without departing from the scope ofthe invention. For example, the elongated frame member 15 can bemodified so as to be adjustable in length between the stub shafts 14 andthe foot holding means 16. This will permit persons of varying height touse the apparatus. Additionally, the portion of the foot holding meansupon which the feet rest can be flattened to permit greater comfort inuse.

What is claimed is:

1. An exercising and recreational apparatus comprising a supportingframework having a pivot means spaced above the ground, and a rotatableframe pivotally mounted on said pivot means, said rotatable frame havingan elongated frame member in the shape of a closed elongated geometricfigure, foot holding means at one end of said elongated frame member, atleast one annular body supporting frame member attached to saidelongated frame member adjacent said pivot means and extending in aplane transversely of the plane of the elongated frame member, a pair ofinverted U-shaped frame members extending from said annular frame membertoward the other end of said elongated frame member and having the freeends attached to said annular frame member and being generally inparallel spaced planes perpendicular to the plane of said elongatedframe member, and handgrip members connected between the closed end ofeach U-shaped frame member and the adjacent portion of said elongatedframe member, the space between said U-shaped frame members beingunobstructed.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said supporting frameworkis a ground supported framework having upwardly extending memberssupporting said pivot means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,081,085 3/1963 De Girolamo27258 3,141,669 7/1964 Ghal 27233 3,276,777 10/1966 Pruitt 27233 RICHARDC. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner R. W. DIAZ, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

